The Irish standard., 1887-12-17
with my penknife.'

they are really beautiful, but who
taught you carving?'
/ Nobody; cut those without having
any one to show me, Do you think
they are done we'll, slr?'
! Indeed, I co. answered the young
man, sand consider myself something
Of a judge in such matters. But tell
me-, would you like to dispose Of tbem?'
oh, if I only could replied Tim, his
eyes glis' ening with delight, but no.
body would think them worth buying.
I differ from you, my boy, for I'm
quite sure you can sell them readily
that is it you will take them to q mer-
chant in town whose address l will
give you. He knows the value of such
things, and wi |, believe, buy your
carvings. as they are certainly well
done and very unique. Do you make
your own designs?'
No, sir, replied Tim, Il try to i'm
itate things see-birds and butter flies
and flowers, and then Mamie often
brings me odd. looking things from the
woods to pattern after
Who is MANNER interrupted the
young man.
She is nay little sister, answered
Tim. She is thirteen years old, and /
am nearly fifteen, and we live here all
alone by ourselves
Quite like the babes in the woods,
declare; why, it grows more and more
lnteresting,' and by dint Of kindly
questioning, the stranger drew from
the boy tieir little history that to some
might seem tiresome and commonplace,
but to the generous hearted young man
was record that put to shame the
more ambitious deeds of many a hero
and heroine.
| When it was finished he drew from
his pocket g note book, and tearing a
page therefrom. wrote a few lines On it,
fo'aed it, and gave it to Tim, saying:
Take that TO tbs man whose address
it bears and show him few specimens
of your work, and unless I'm greatly
mistaken, your fortune is made If l
had not to start tor the West tonight,
| would take you myself, but you can
20 just as we'll alone, can you not, my
boy?' lie added, as a thought of Tins
crippled condition suggested to hin
that perhaps the boy could not very
well make his way into town, a distaE ce
CT five miles.
!! oh, yes, indeed can,' replied Tim
quickly, 'l'll manage it somehow.
Mamie would willingly 60 with me.
but'-lowering his voice as if he were
afraid some one would hear I'd like to
snrprie g her, sir, and, Oh, wont she be
glad when she hears all about it.
! When Mamie got back from having
disposed Of her berries 1.-THE last Of the
season she told her customers, s!'e did
not know what to make of Tim, he was
in such state OF excitement. When
she asked what WAS the matter with
him, he answered, Nothing, only I've
been thinking and dreaming abort lots
OF things while you were gone But
not one word did he say of his visitor,
That was his secret, to be carefully
guarded until he could surprise his sis
ter by bringing her money that he toe,
had earned.
That evening he said in the most OF
hand manner. Man, DO you think l
could get into town to- omorrow?'
| Why, Tim, what do you want to go
| forp' she inquired.
! 'Oh. I've just taken notion to. you
know haven't been there in years, and
thought it might do me- good TO stir
round little. "A fellow hates to stay
!1onle all the time he added psteously
II know it Tim,' she answt red, and
so it was settled that he should make
The attempts.
Mamie found out that their landlord
was going to the city bright and early
the next morning. and would let Tim
ride in with him. If he would behave
himself,' which there was no doubt Tim
would do. Accordingly the boy set
forth in the early dawn full Of happy
expectations, carrying with him a lunch
prepared by thoughtful little Man, and, !,
unknown to her, number of his WOOD
carvings.
| Now said Mamie, when the wagon
drove OF, III clean up the house while
Tim is away, and have everything shin
ing by the time he gets back, and I'll
have good supper ready for him be-
cause hell be awful hungry. I'll cook
some potatoes, and some she'll beans
and perhaps can get a small piece Of
meat from old C,usty's honsekeeper.
She owes me that much for helping her
shell peas this summer.
In due time Tim reached the city,
and was literally dumped out by the
farmer in the market-place. The poor
boy made sorry appearance, as.
sprawling on the pavement. he strug-
gled to regain his feet and tbtain pos
session of his crutch, which had fallen
out Of his reach, A crowd of street